CA1313203C - Water ski binding - Google Patents

Abstract

WATER SKI BINDING
Abstract An adjustable water ski binding (10) is composed of an upper (18) secured substantially vertically between a laterally supportive, generally U-shaped internal frame (34) and a similarly shaped external frame (50) to form a foot-receiving binding cavity (22). A full length soleplate (24) underlies theinternal frame (34) and includes a slot (108), allowing the width of soleplate (24) to be adjusted. A pair of rotatable tabs (114) are secured to external frame (50) and include a plurality of adjustment holes (120) that allow tabs (114) to be additionally secured to a mounting plate (12). By selecting the proper pair of adjustment holes (120), the width of binding upper (18) can be increased or decreased. A pair of oppositely disposed strap portions (86), provided on binding upper (18), extend forwardly, overlapping the instep of binding upper (18). End portions (126) of straps (86) are adjustably securable between the internal frame (34) and external frame (50) to selectively vary the size of binding cavity (22).

Description

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WATER SKI BI~DI~G
Technical Field The present invention relates to bindings for water skis and, more particularly, to a binding having a frame that is adjustable in width and provides 5 lateral support to the skier's foot and having an upper that is laterally flexible.
The binding frame cooperates with strap portions on the binding upper for further adjustment of the binding to accommodate various skier foot sizes.
Back~round of the Invention Well designed water ski bindings should not only fit well, but also 10 properly support the skier's foot and ankle. Proper support is a function of good fit and offers the skier maximum control over the ski~ while plaeing a minimum of stress on the skier's foot and ankle. A good binding fit also enhances the skier's safety in several ways. First, with greater control over the ski, the s~cier i9 less likely to sustain an injuris~us fall. Second, a better binding fit reduces the 15 likelihood of the binding coming loose acoidentally while skiing, ~urther decreasing the occurrence of falls. Third, a good binding -~it ensures the prompt release o~
the ski should the skier fall~ Thus, the skier's foot and ankle are spared the potentially damaging eorces exerted upon the ski during a fall. In addition to proper support and good fit, it is desirable to provide a binding upper that is 20 comPortable to the skier.~ Finally, because of the strains exerted on the binding when skiing, it is necessary that the binding be o~ rugged construction.
To provide proper support~ known bindings for water skis typically include a binding upper consisting of a toe- or forward piece that extends trans-versely over the forward portion of the foot and a heel- or rearward piece to eup 25 the heel and ankle of the skier. The lowar perimeter flange portions of the toe-piece and heelpiece extend horizontally from their respective upper portions 1~32~

for securement horizontally to a mounting surface provided on the ski. ~xarnplesof this type of water ski binding are disclosed in U.S. Paltent Nos. 3,1217891 and 4,522,603. While such configurations generally provide enough lateral binding support to allow the skier to control the ski for precision turns, they do so at the 5 expense of binding comfort. In such configurations, the lower perimeter flangeportion of the toe- and heelpieces are generally hori20ntally clamped to the ski, while the majority of the upper portions of the toe- and heelpieces have a more vertical disposition capable of supporting the foot and ankle. Generally, this is achieved by a transitional portion of the binding that undergoes an arcuate, lO 90 degree upward bend from the flange to the upper portions of the toe- and heelpiece. The resultant inwardly concave portion of the binding upper is relatively stiff and unyielding, thereby resisting outward flexure. Thus, while the skier's foot is laterally supported, the comfort of the binding is significantly impaired.
I 5 Water ski bindings also have been designed to provide a direct vertical attachment between the binding upper and the soleplate of the binding.
This configuration eliminates the relatively stiff arcuate juncture between the horizontal llange portions and vertical upper portions of previous water ski bindings, resulting in a binding that is more uniformly flexible throughout. An 20 example of this type of binding is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,389,200. While this configuration may enhance the comfort of the water ski binding, it provides minimal lateral support to the skier's foot, thereby severely rec~ucing the skierls control over the ski and seriously decreasing skier safety.
Perhaps the surest way of obt~ining a properly fitting birldillg is to 25 have one custom designed and made for an individual. However, such bindings are both expensive and limited to usQge by one individual. Therefore, it is desirable that water ski bindings ar~ constructed to accommodate a varie~y of skier foot sizes. In this regard the length of the water ski binding is commonlyadjustable by use of a longitudinally slidable heelpiece. Use of a sliding 30 heelpiece in conjunction with ~ forwardly narrowing open toepiece also provides some adjustment for width. Wider feet are simply retained farther back in the binding toepiece, with the heelpiece adjusted accordingly, while narrower ~eet are positioned farther ~orward in the binding toepiece~ An example of a water ski binding constructed in this manner is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,089,158.
35 These adjustable bindings, however, employ a spacing in the binding upper between the toepiece and the heelpiece to allow relative displacement of the two. Because major portions of the skier's foot and ankle are left uncovered by the binding in this configurationg less than optimum support or comIort results.

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Other adjustable binding designs employ binding pieces that are movable in relation to a mounting plate by way of bolts that reside in slot located in either the binding pieces or the mounting plate. Such an arrangement can be used to adjust the length of the binding, or the binding width at the toe or 5 heel. Examples of water ski bindings constructed in this manner are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,142,727 and 2,165,547. These designs also leave reduced regions of the skier's foot covered by the binding, thereby providing variably adjustable bindings at the expense of foot and an}de support and comfor~.
Some water ski bindings also include a means far adiusting the lO binding fit by varying the instep of the binding. ~or example9 the toepiece may be laced as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,t65,547. Similarly, the toepiece may be stretched downwardly and rearwardly to reduce the size of the binding cavity adjacent the skier's instep, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,143,750. Another possible option is to adjust the effective surface area of the toepieee while l 5 maintaining the same points of attachment on the soleplate. As disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 2,933,741, one side of the toepieee can be secured by an eccentric clasp, allowing that end of the toepiece to be clamped at different points, thereby adjusting the binding toepiece to accommodate different skier's feet.
While each of these different binding eonfigurations is capable of 20 varying the instep region of the binding, none provides maximum coverage of7 and hence support to, the skier's foot and ankle. In addition, because the toepiece is generaLly angled forwardly downward, the reduction in the binding instep produces a rearward component of force Oll the slcier's foot which must be resisted entirely by the heelpiece. None oE these configurRtions disclo~e3 an 25 integral means for counterbalancirlg this rearwarfl force on the skler's ~oot.
Because the toe ancl heelpieces typically are subject to consider-able ~lexure during usage, the durability of the binding often suf~ers. Similarly~
lhe binding may employ a number of moving parts that can wear and, ultimately7 fail. In addition, holes are frequently formed in the lower perimeter portion of30 the binding upper, which is clamped to the mounting surface of the ski by a frame provided with bolts that pass through the holes, anchoring the binding.
The force exerted by the binding upper to hold the skier's foot in place is alsoexperienced by the lower perimeter flange portion of the binding~ resulting in frequent failures around the screw holes. To counteract these problems, stiffer135 tougher binding upper material can be usedO As noted earlier, however, this results in a decrease in the comfort experienced by the skier when wearing the bindingO In addition, ribbed interfaces between the lower perimeter flange portion of the binding upper and the frame have been employed, as have lower ~3~32~3 perimeter portions that are harder and less resilient than the remainder Oe the binding upper. While each OI these approaches reduces the tendency of the binding to tear when holes are provided, neither has proved totally success~ul.
Accordingly, it is a prinoipal object of the present invention to 5 provide a water ski binding that laterally supports the skier's ~oot and ankle and provides an adjustable fit, while maintaining a generally resilient binding upper that is both comfortable to wear and of rugged construction.
A particular object of the present invention is to provide a frame assembly for the binding that ~orms a laterally supportive depression for the 10 skier~s foot and secures the binding upper to extend upwardly and inwardly therefrom, thereby producing a comfortable laterally flegible binding that also offers the skier maximum control over the ski.
A further particular object of the present invention is to provide a frame assembly for the binding~ that is variable in width for preferred use in 15 conjunction with a binding upper having an adjustable instep, the resultant adjustable binding producing the optimum fit to the feet of a large number of skiers while providing maximum support of the skiers' feet and ankles.
Summar~ of the Invention The foregoing and other objeets are achieved in accordance with 20 the present invention by securing a binding upper to extend upwardly and inwardly from a frame assembly having an internal frame including a pair of spaced, longitudinally extending abutment ridges defining a depression that lat~rally supports substantially the full lengths of the sides o-f the skier's foot.
The frflme assembly may be variable in width, allowing the size oP the binding to 25 be adjusted. Thc binding additionally may b~ a~ustable at the instep b~ wny Oe forwardly extending and laterally overlapping strap portions provided on the binding upper and secured in rel~tion to the int~rnal frame.
According to particular aspects of the present invention, the frame nssembly also includes an external Prame provided to secure a lower perimeter 30 portion of the binding upper to the internal frame in upwardly and inwardly sloped disposition. Further, the internal frame is secured to a full length soleplate having a longitudinal slot that opens at the toe. A spreader bar is engageable with the slot to selectiv01y vary the width of the slot and thus th soleplate thereby varying the width of the bindin~. A pair o~ tabs are rotatably35 mounted on pintles secured to the forward portions of the fran e assembly. The tabs inelude a plurality of spaced-apart adjustment holes loc~ted at varying distances from the pintle for selective engagement with a pair of fasteners disposed at fixed locatiorLs on the surface to which the binding is mounted. By .

'' , :' `" ~3~3~3 selecting the proper adjustment hoIes for engagement with the fasteners, a variety of binding widths are obtainable.
In another aspect o~ the present invention, the binding upper consists OI a separate toepiece and heelpiece, eaoh having Q lower perimeter 5 portion that extends upwardly and inwardly from the frame assembly su~
stantially along the entire length of the frame assembly. The heelpiece includesa pair of oppositely disposed strap portions that extend forwardly ~long the binding upper and then laterally across each other in overlapping configuration to be secured between the toepiece and the external frame.
According to a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the strap portions of the heel wrap may be secured to the frame assembly in various fashions. In one design3 the ends of the strap portions are provided with a plurality o~ ribs for selective engagement with a plurality of longitudinal slots provided in side portions of the frame assembly. Alternatively, the ends of the 15 strap portions may be provided with a plurality of spaced-apart holes for engagement with a pin extending upwardly through the side portion of the erame assembly. The particular attachment locations of the strap portions to the frame assembly control the size of the binding instep.
In a further alternati~e, the ends o~ the strap portions of the heel 20 wrap are secured to the frame assembly with a clasp assembly whieh receives the strap ends and automatically cinches the straps at a desired location therealong. The clasp assembly includes a Iriction cam and a clamping surface which together define a gap through which the strap end is inserted. The carn ispivotably mounted relative to the clamping surface so that as the strap end is 25 pulled through the clasp assembly in ~ direction to ti~,hten the binding upper, the cam is automatically pivoted in the direction away Erom the stop, thereby permitting the str~lp end to slide throu~h the clasp assemhly. Ilowever, when the pull on the strap end is terminated so that the stretched str~p seeks to retractthrough the clasp assembly, the friction force between the strap and the cam 30 causes the cam to plvot toward the stop, thereby tightly pinching the strap a~ainst the clamping surface. This prevents withdrawal of the strap end relativeto the clasp assembly.
According to a further detailed aspect of the present invention, the instep porffon of the toepiece that extends over and covers the instep of a skier's 35 foot (and Rlso underlies the criss-crossing strap portions) is constructed to be more resilient than the remainder o~ the instep portion, thereby to permit the width of the instep portion to readily expand and contract to accommodate different width Eeet. In one preferred aspect of the present invention, the top 3~2~
6 6283g-1012 central sec~ion of the instep portion i~ formed o~ a xeduced thic~ness relative to the remainder o~ the instep portion. In another preferred aspect of the pre~ent invention, a longitudlnal slit extends along the top central section o~ the instep portion.
In accordance with the present lnvention there is provided ~ water ski hinding comprising: (~) a binding upper; (b) a unitary, internal frame having, a yenerally flat soleplate portion shaped generally in the form of the bottom profile o~ a skier's foo~ and extending substantially the full length o~ ~he skier's foot; an abutment ridge in~egrally formed with the soleplate portion to curve upwardly ~rom at least the side marginal portions of the soleplate portion to an elevation sufficiently above the soleplate portion for bearing against the sides of the skier's foot; and whereln said s~leplate portion and said abutment ridge cooperatively define a ~oot receiving depression to provide lateral support for the skier's .~oot; (c) an external frame extending along at least the side marginal portions of said internal ~rame; and ~d) wherein the lower perimeter portion of ~he bindin~ upper .ts receivable betweell ~ald internal frame and said external frame.
In aacordanae with the present lnventlon there i6 also provlded a water ski hlndin~ having an elastic binding upper and means extending into the binding to mount the binding on ~op of ~he water ski, an improved contoured ~oot-receiving base structure, comprising: a thin, generally flat soleplate posi~ioned on the water ski to overlie the water ski and extendiny substan~lally the full lengkh of a skier's ~oot, sald soleplate having a rear marginal portion and side marginal portions ~ .' .
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6a 6~83g-1012 extending subætantlally the ~ull length o~ the soleplate; a curved abutment ridge integrally formecl with said soleplate to de~ine a unitary structure, said abutment ridge curving upwardly ~rom at least the side marginal portions of ~he soleplate to rise to an elevation suf~iciently above the soleplate to bear agalnst the sides of a skier's foot; and, whereby said integrally ~ormed soleplate and abutment ridye cooperating with the water ski binding upper to deflne a foot-receiving depression extending substantially the full length of the skiar's foot to rPceive and restrain the skier's foot against lateral movement relative to the base structure.
In accordance with the present invention there i~
~u-ther provided a water ski binding having a binding upper, an improvement comprising: a ~oleplate ex~ending along substantially the entire lenyth of, underlying and supportlng a skier's foot, said ~oleplate having integrally for~ed abutment ridge portions extending alony the rear and slde peri~eter portions o~ said soleplate ko abut again~t the rearward and side por~ions o~ the skier's foot thereby to restrain the skier's ~oot ~.ro~ movement ln the rearward and lataral dlrection~, sai.d coleplate adapted to be securable to the lower perimeter portlon o~ the hindlng upper; and means for selectively adjusting the width o~ said æoleplate.
Brie DescriPtion of the Drawin~s The details o~ a typical embodiment of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompan~ing drawings, in which:
E'IGURE 1 is an isometric view of a water ski binding constructed according to the present invention and mounted on a B

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6b 62839-1012 water ski, as viewed ~rom the ~orward and lefk side o~ ~he binding;
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of ~he ~rame assembly with portions broken away for clarity;
FIGUR~ 3 is an exploded, isometric view of the present inventlon as viewed ~rom substantially the same direction a~
FIGU~E 1;
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the binding assembly shown in ~IGURE 1, taken substantially along khe æection lines 4--4 of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 5 is a view similar to a portion of FIGURE 4, but illustrating an alternate preferred method oi securlng the strap portions of the binding upper to the frame assembly;
FIGURE 6 i~ an enlarged, ~ragmentaryr cross-sectional view of the binding assembly shown in FIGURE 1, taken substantially along section lines 6--6 of FIGVRE 2;
FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cro~s-~eckional view of ~he bindiny assembl~ shown i.n FIGURE 1, kaken subskantially alony sectlon lines 7~-7 o~ FIGUR~ 2;
FIGURE 8 i~ an enlarged ~raymentary, cros~-sectlonal view, similar to that of FIGURE 7, o~ another preferred embodlment o~ the present invention tha~ does not employ an external frame;
FIGURE 9 is a plan view similar to FIGURE 2, but wlth the binding adjusted to a nar.rower width and a shorter length;
FIGURE 9A is an isometric vlew similar to FIGURE 1, but illustrating a binding as mounted on a mounting plate ~hich in turn is mountable on a water ski, ~B

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3~32~3 6c ~839-1012 ~ IGURE 9B is an enlaryed, fraymentary, cro~-sectional view o~ the bin~ing assembly shown in FIGURE 9A, t~ken substantially along lines 9B-9B thereo~;

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FIGURE 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating another method of securing the strap portions of the binding upper to the frame assembly;
FIGURE 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary9 eross-section~l view, taken substantially along section lines 11-11 of FIGURE 10 with the strap portions of the binding upper shown in preadjustment position;
FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 11, but with the strap portions of the binding upper illustrated in I0 adjusted position;
~IGURE 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view sirnilar to FIGUR~ 10 and illustrating a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;
~IGURE 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view illus-trating an alternative preferred embodiment of the binding upper; and, FIGURE 15 is an isometric view of the water ski binding similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrating a further preferred embodiment of the binding upper.
Detailed Description of the Invention ~IGURE 1 illustrates a water ski binding 10 constructed according to the best mode of the present invention currently known to applicant as secured on the top surface 14 of a water ski 16. Water ski binding 10 in basic construction includes an adjustable, elastic binding upper 18 secured to a frameassembly 20 which in turn may be mounted on ski 16. Adjust~ble binding upper 18, in cooperation with frame assembly 20, de-fines a binding cavity aa for adjustably receiving and re~training the foot9 ankle, and lower leg oï differ~ntskiers.
Vescrlbing water ~lci binding 10 in more detail, and with additional reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, frame assembly 20 consists of three primary components. A very thin, flat, elongate soleplate 24 has a bottom mounting surface in contact wilh the top surfaee 14 of ski 16. Soleplate 24 additionally has a forward toe end 28, a rear heel end 30, and side portions 32. A generally U-shaped internal frame 34 extends around the sides 32 and rear heel end 30 of soleplate 24 and extends upwardly of the top surface 36 of the soleplate.
Internal frame 34 is formed with an outward llange portion 40 extending along and outwardly of the internal frame to define a top9 hori~ontal clarnping surface 41. Internal frame 34 also includes an inward abutment ridge 42 defined by a concave, inwardly disposed support surface 44 and an outwardly disposed9 sloping surface 46. Support surface 44 of internal frame 34 in cooperation with ~83l3~

the top surface 36 of soleplate 24 defines a supportive depression 47 (~IGURES 4, 6 and 7) that provides lateral support to the sole o~ the skier's foot positioned in the binding 10. A footpad 48 covers the supportive depression for comfort. Although footpad 48 can be constructed from a wide variety of 5 materials, for durability and comfort it is preferably composed of neoprene sponge material having a hardness of about 10 to 25 durometer.
A generally U-shaped external frame 50 is formed with opposite side portions 52 interconnected by a curved rear end portion 53 to correspond with the shape of internal frame 34. External frame 50 includes an inwardly 10 disposed, upwardly and inwardly sloped surface 54, and a gener~lly horizontal, bottom clamping surface 56 positioned above the top surface 41 of Elange portion 40 of the internal frame 34. The space or gap between the sloped surfaces 46 and 54 of internal frame 34 and external frame 50, respectively, along with the space between portions of the clamping surfaces 41 and 56, is 15 intended for reception of a lower perimeter portion of the binding upper l8.
Soleplate 24 preferably is fabricated from a sturdy, lightweight, thin material capable of adding rigidity to the assembled binding 10. For example, sheet aluminum of up to approximately one-sixteenth inch (0.040 cm) thick or a relatively rigid, hard, dwrable plastic material~ such as nylon, up to 20 about .080 inch thick is deemed suitable. Internal frame 34 and external frame 50 preferably also are molded from a relatively hard, durable plastic capable ofwithstanding flexure when the width of water ski binding 10 i~ adjusted. For example, the use of nylon with or withoul: a reinforcing rnaterial~ ~uch as fiberglass, has been found suitable. Internal frame 34 can be bonded to soleplate 25 24 with a suitable well-known, commercially-av~ilable a~ent, suoh as an adheslve or epoxy cement. Rxternal frame 50, on the other hand~ preferably is secured to the flange portion 40 of internal frame 34 by suitalile fasteners 94 described in greater detail below.
Preferably, soleplate 24 is integrally constructed or molded with 30 internal frame 34 to form a single unit as illustrated in FIG.URES 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Although various types of materials may be employed to construct the integral soleplate/internal frame unit, preferably a relatively rigid, high-strength, durable plastic, such as nylon, is employed so that the unit can be economieallymolded while having sufficient structural integrity to safelS7 support the skier's 35 foot. Ideally the underside of the integral soleplate/internal frame unit is formed with a relief slot 59 of generally triang~dar cross section that is disposed beneath and extends along abutment ridge 42. Through the use of relief slots 59~the wall sections composing the integral soleplate/internal frame unit are .. .. .

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generaUy uniform to facilitate the molding of the unit, while minimizing stress risers due to large variations in the wall sections.
In accordance with the present invention, soleplate 24 and foot-pad 48 are constructed as thin as possible so that the bottom of the skier's foot is as close to the top surface 14 of the ski 16 as possible. As will be appreciated7 the closer the bottom of the Ioot is to the top of the ski, the greater the abilitg to control the ski. To this end preferably, footpad 48 is made from neoprene sponge or similar material having a durometer of from about 10 to 25 and a thickness of ~rom about .:l25 inch (.31~5 cm) up to about .25 inch (.635 cm) thick.
Applieants have found that by this construction, the pad is resilient enough ~orproper foot comfort but thin enough to enhance the skier's conteol over the ski.If soleplate 24 is made from .~80 inch thick plastic material and footpad as8 ismade from .25 inch thick neoprene sponge material, due to the resilience of the footpad, the bottom of the skier's foot advantageously will be at most about O30 inch above the top sur~ace 14 of ski 16.
Binding upper 18 consists of two major components; toepiece 60 and a heelpiece 69. Although the toepiece is illustrated as being Eorwardly open, it can alternatively be closed. The generally resiliert toepiece 60 is form~d with lower perimeter side portions 64 that define outwardly and horizontally ex-~ending, variable width, side flanges ~2. Ridges 66, having narrower sections 66a and wider sections 66b, extend along and upwar~y from side Elanges 62. With l:he lower perimeter side portions 64 of toepiece 60 positioned between the internal Erame 34 and the external frame 50, toepiece 60 extends upwardly anfl inwardly from the ~rame assernbly 20 to de~ine an arcuate roof lor the reglon o~binding cavity 22 supporting the toes and the instep of the skier. As EJhown in ~IGURE~ 4 and 7, toepiece 60 ¢onstitutes a substantially ~minterrupted, nrcuate continuation of supportive depression 47 thereby con-forming to the sh~pe of theski-3r's foot wh;le also providing maximum resiliency and, therefore, slder comfort.
With the binding 10 assembled, toepiece ridges 66 cooperatively engage slots 68, huving narrower seetions 68a and wider sections 66b cor-responding to toepiece ridge portions 66a and 66b, respectively. Slots 68 extendlongitudinally along the inteFsection of the sloped surface 54 and bottom clamping surface 56 OI external frame 50. Thus, ridges 66 allow toepiece 60 to remain securely in place even when subject to the rigorous ~orces exerted upon the binding 10 during skiing. The wider slot sections 68b, as shown in EIGURE 2, , .
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are located at positions of higher stress placed on the foot during skiing, i.e~, at the front of toepiece 60, at the intersection of toepiece 60 and heelpiece 69 (at the sides of binding 10) and at the rear of the heelpiece.
The heelpiece 69 includes a heelcup ~0 which is also preferably formed from resilient material and has a lower perimeter portion 71 de~ining a continuous horizontal outwardly extending flange 72 closely approximating flange 62 of toepiece 60 and secured between horizontal clamping surfaces 41 and 56. As with the toepiece 60, heelcup 70 has a variable width rid~e 73 extending upwardly from and along flange 72, which is of corresponding variable width. As previously described in conjunction with the discussion of toepiece 60, ridge 73 cooperaffvely engages the variable width slot 68 formed in the externalframe 50, thereby enhancing the connection of heelpiece 69 to frame assembly 20.
As with toepiece 60, heelpiece 69 extends upwardly and inwardly l 5 from ~rame assembly 20, to conform to the shape of the skier's foot while retaining the flexibility of heelpiece 69 and, hence, enhancing the comfort of binding 10. The lateral support provided by the abutment ridge 42 of internal frame 34, however, allows the skîer to maintain precise control over the water ski 16 without sacrifieing this flexlbility.
Heelcup 70 is formed such that, with the continuous, variable width flange 72 of the h~elcup secured between clamping surfaces 41 and 56, the rear portion of binding cavity 22, supporting the skier's heel and ankle, is defined upwardly in the longitudinal forward direction in line with a skier~s lower leg when bent at the knee. Thus, the skier's anlcle and foot are held by the binding 10 in tlle desired position for slciing. Because toepiece 60 slopes upward in the longitudinal rearward dir~¢tion while heelcup 70 tapers upwlrd in a forwurd direction, the toepiece 60 and heelpiece 70 direct longitudinally o~
posing forces upon the skier's foot, providing further support.
Heelpiece 69 also includes a pair of oppositely disposed strap portions 86 that are preferably integrally constructed with heelcup 70. Strap `~ portions 86 extend forwardly of heelcup 70 and laterally across toepiece 60 in overlapping configuration, passing between the side portions 64 of the toe-piece 60 and the sloping surface 54 of external ~rame 50, FIGURES 3 and 4. To accommodate the additional thickness of material at this point, recesses 88 are 35 provided in the sides 52 of external frame 5û.
To provide maximum eomfort and support, toepiece 60 and heel-piece 69 preferably are composed of composite material, having a plurality of layers serving different functions. Ide~lly they include an inner layer of soft, , . . ..

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foam rubber to cushion the skier's foot. The surEace of the inner layer may alsobe gridded with slight protrusions of foam rubber to provide further cushion andless surface adhesion to the foot when inserted in, ancl removed from, the binding. A second, stiffer outer layer of rubber is employed to provide the 5 necessary support for the skier's foot and ankle. A greater number of layers can be used to provide the level of comfort, strength, flexibility and other charac-teristics desired~ For additional convenience in donning and do~ingr the binding10, a pair of fingerholes 74 are provided on the rear, uppermost regions 76 and 77 of toepiece 60 and heelpiece 69. Fingerholes 74 allow the skier to obtain a firmlO grip on the potentially slippery regions 76 and 77 and stretch the binding 10 to ease insertion and removal of the foQt from binding cavity 22.
In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, toepiece 60 and heelpiece 69 are molded by a process similar to that disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,522,603. Thus, an ;ntegral piece may be formed having an inner 15 surface composed of, for instance9 .25 inch (.635 cm) thick textured neoprenefoam or similar material having a durometer of about 8 to 10. Similarly, the outer surface may consist OI, for instance, from .125 inch (.3175 cm) to .375 inch (.925 cm) thick neoprene or similar material having a durometer of about 50.
As noted previously, the flanges 62 and 72 of the lower perimeter 20 portions 64 and 71 of toepiece 80 and heelpiece 69 are securely positioned between the horizonkll clamping surfaces 41 and 56 of the internal frame 34 and external frame 50, respectively. To accomplish this, a plurality of beveled clearance holes 90 are located in flange portion 40 of internal frame 34. l)ne plurality of oppositely disposed holes 90 is arrarlged near the forward or toe encls 25 of elange 40 and additional holes ~0 are arranged along the length Oe flange 40~
The external frame 50 is proviflecl with holes 92 aligned with the correspondingclearance holes 90 in flange 40 when external frame 50 is positioned thereon.
I'he external frame holes 92 are threaded for engagement with screws 94 extending upwardly through clearance holes 90 in flange 40. When screws 94 are 30 tightened, the flange portions 62 and ~2 of binding upper 18 are securely clamped between the internal frame 34 and the external frame 50. It should be noted, as shown in FIGURE 6, that this arrangement allows binding upper 18 to be secured to frame assembly 20 without necessitating the use of holes in the upright wall sections of the lower perimeter portions 64 and 71, which could result in reduced 35 strength and eventual failure of binding upper 18.
While ridges 66a, 66b and 73 of the toepiece 60 and heelpiece B9 may be of uniform eross section, it has been found to be advantageous to vary their cross-sectional widths. This r equires a corresponding variation in the 13132~ ~J

cross-sectional width of portions of slots 68a and 68b provided in external frame 50. Along a majority of their lengths the aross-sectional widths of ridges 86a, 66b and 73 are uniform, as shown in FI~URE 6. However, at the forward end of toepiece 60, at the intersection of the toepiece and heelpiece ~9, 5 and at the rear of the heelpiece, the widths of ridges 66 and 73 are widened to correspond with wider slot portions 68b formed in the external frame, e~g., as shown in FIGURE 7. These wider portions of rid~es 66b and 73 have been identified as being the highest stressed or loaded locations of the binding upper 18. It will be appreciated that the use of the widened ridge portions 10 increases the clamping area of the ridge portions, thereby more securely attaehing the lower perimeter portions 84 and 71 of the binding upper 18 to frame assembly 20.
As an illustrative but nonlimiting example, the narrower portions of ridges 66a and 73 and the narrower slot portions 68a preferably may be 15 approximately 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) wide and the wider portions OI ridges 66b and 73 and the wider slot portions 68b preferably may be approximately -from 1/4 ineh (0~64 cm) to 3/8 inch (.96 em~ wide. Also, as an illustrative but nonlimiting example, the height of the ridge portions 66 and 73 and the depth ofslot portions 68a and 68b preferably is approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch (0.32 to 20 0.64 cm). To effect even greater holding power, ridges 86 and 73 may addi-tionally increase in eross section as they eontinue away from the binding upper 18. ~IGURE 2 identifies the relative locations of these various ridge and slot arrangements in a currently preferred embodiment of the water ski binding,.As shown in FIGUR~ 8, an alternate rnethod of s~curing binding 25 upper 18~ to frame assembly 20' allows binding 10' to be constructed without the use of an external Erarne 50. In this configuration, ridges 66' and 73' are provlded on the interior surface o the lower perimeter portions 64' and 71' of bindlng upper 18'. These ridges cooperate with an upwardly extending longitudinal slot 96 and a downwardly extending shoulder 98 provided in the bottom surface 100 of 30 internal frame 3~L'. In addition, a plurality OI upwardly extending, threaded holes 102 pass a portion of the way through internal frame 34' and are arranged for alignment with a plurality of aligned counterbored clearance holes 104 provided in soleplate 24'. Screws 106 extend upwardly through holes 104 into engagement with the threaded holes 102 provided in the internal frame 34'~ Because the 35 thickness of the lower perimeter portions 64' and 71' of bind;ng upper 18' e~ceeds the distance separating the bottom of sho~der 98 and the top surface of solepl~te 24', shoulder 98 and slot 96 of internal frame 34' securely elamp the lower perimeter portions 64' and 71' of binding upper 181 against the soleplate 24' ' ;'' ':
.

3 ~ ~ ~

when screws 106 are tighterled. In this confi~uration, a elange~ such as ~lange 40 of internal frame 34 is unnecessary.
To allow the wa$er ski binding 10 to be used by more than one skier, without sacrificing fullrless OI support, a means eor adjusting the width of 5 the binding 10 and instep of binding cavity 22 is provided. To this end, soleplate 24 includes a tapered slot 108 extsnding substantially along the longitudinal central axis of soleplate 24 and open to the toe end 28. The width of slot 108 increases in the direction of the toe end 28 of the soleplate 24. By applying opposing forces to the sides 32 of soleplate 24, the slot 108 can be opened or l O closed, widening or narrowing the soleplate 24. Because slot 108 is widest at the toe end 28 of soleplate 24, the greatest width adjustment occurs at that end.
The end of slot 108 closest to the heel end 30 of soleplate 24 is defined generally in the shape of a triangle having an arcuate ape~ that terminates at a narrow bridge portion 110. Constructing the end of the slot in this rnanner provides 15 soleplate 24 with sufficient flexibility to be readily adjusted in width, as discussed more eully below. Also, forming the end of slot 108 in this manner distributes the stress induced by narrowing or widening the soleplate. Thus, failure o~ the soleplate 24 between the end of slot 108 and the h0el end 30 of the soleplate is less likely than if slot 108 was simply formed with a ~-shaped 20 termination. To also facilitate the width adjustment of soleplate 24, a plurality of transverse notches 111 are formed in the rear or heel portion of flange 4Q ofthe internal frQme. As shown best in ~ URES 2 and 3, the notches are generally U-shaped and open in the outward d;rection.
An elongate, longitudinally tapering.spreader bar 140 is provicled to 2S occupy slot 108 and to nominally maintain soleplate 24 at the desired width, for instance during the assembly of binding 10 and also when the binding is removed from water slci 1~ to adjust the width of the binding. To this end, spreader bar 140 is constructed with an elongated, tapered forward section 142 and an elongated, tapered rearward section 144 separated by a generally rectangula-rly 30 shaped, intermediate section 146 extending transversely of the forward and rearward sections. The forward and rearward sections may oc~upy slot 108 thereby providing support for the underside of footpad 48. The margins of intermediate section 746 are formed with serrations 148 $hat mesh with corr~
sponding serrations 150 formed in the margins of transverse notches 152 ex-35 tending laterally from slot 108 to receive the intermediate section OI thespreader bar. It wi11 be appreciated that the width of soleplate 24 i5 determined by the placement of the serrations 148 of the spreader bar relative to the serrations 150 of the two notches 152 formed in the soleplate. As discussed -14- ~32~

more fully below, if it is desired to adjust soleplate 2~ to a relatively narrowwidth, the forward and rearward seetions 142 and 144 of the spreader bar may be detached frorn the intermediate section, thereby allowing slot 108 to be sub stantially closed.
Next, referring primarily to FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, internal frame 34 is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed recesses 112 directed inwardly fromthe side flanges 40. The recesses are located adjacent the forward toe ends of the ~langes 40 and underlie the ~langes. The recesses 112 are of sufficient dimension to accept thin, rotatable tabs 114 having a generally trapezoidal geometry. Tabs 114 are provided with center pivot holes 116 eor cooperation with corresponding pintles 118 extending upwardly through clearance holes 115 inflanges 40 and corresponding clearance holes 117 in external frame 50 to engage with a threaded fastener, such as cap nut 119. Thus, each tab 114 rotates about a pintle 118. Tabs 114 also include a plurality of spaced-apart adjustment holes120 that are located varying distances from the center pivot hole 116. Water ski 16 is provided with a pair of threaded holes spaced a fixed, selected distance from each other across the water ski. As tabs 114 are rotated7 progressive adjustment holes 120 are disposed outwardly from external frame 50, making them accessible to screws 124 extending downwardly into ski 16.
Screws 124 serve to secure tabs 114 and, thus, the forward end of binding 10 to ski 16. The rearward end of binding 10 is secured to ski 16 by screws 125 which extend downwardly through one o~ the clearance holes 125a extendin~ through external franne 50 and corresponding clearance holes 125b or notches 111 extending through side flanges 40 of internal frame 34 at opposite sides OI the binding. ~s shown in FI~UR~S 1-3, the binding is formed with a plurality o~ ~lange clearance holes L15 and external frame clearance holes 117 for reception of pintles 118 and a plurality OI clearance holes 125a and 1'~5b for screws 125. This enables binding 10 to be positioned at various fore-and-aft locations relative to ski 16, thereby to alter the perIormance characteristics of the ski as desired.
By the above-described construction, it will be appreciated that soleplate 24 may be conveniently adjusted in width to accommodate various size feet, for instance, during the initial assembly of binding 10 or after the binding has been mounted on ski 16, in which instance the binding is removed Erom its ski by removal of screws 124 and 125 from the ski. In the adiustmenl procedure, the serrations 148 of the intermediate section 146 of spreader bar 140 are engaged at desired locations relative to serrations 150 of notches 152 to correspond with the desired width of soleplate 24. FIGURE 2 illustrates a sufIicielltly wide :' ;':'' ' , .
. " . .....

i3~3~

adjustment wherein the forward and rearward sections 142 and 144 of the spreader bar are engageable within soleplate slot 108 to help support the underside of pad 48.
EIGURE 9 illustrates the soleplate adjusted to a narrower width.
5To accommodate this narrower width~ the spreader bar is composed only of intermediate section 146, thereby to allow slot 108 to be substQntially closed.
To this end, the spreader bar can be initially constructed as composing only intermediate section 146 or the forward and rearward sections of the spreader bar can be detached from the intermediate section of the spreader bar. To this 10end, the spreader bar can be scored along lines extending acro~s the spreader bar at the intersections of the forward and rearward sections with the in~ermediate section. Scoring the spreader bar in this manner enables the forward and rearward sections o~ the spreader bar to be conveniently broken of~ from the intermediate section.
15Thereafter, tabs 114 are rotated about pintles 118 until a pair of adjustment holes 120 are aligned with the threaded holes provided in the water ski. It will be appreciated that the adjustment holes 120 are spaced relative topintle 118 to correspond with the various widths to which the soleplates can be adjusted through the particular locations that spreader bar serrations 148 are 20engaged with serrations 150 of notches 150.
Although it is desirable to employ spreader bar l40, it will be appreciated that soleplate 124 snay be adjusted to a desired width without the use of the spreader bar. To this end, tabs 11~ can be rotated about pintle 118 until a desired pair of adjustment holes 120 are aligned with the threaded holes25provided in the water ski. If the width of binding 10 is to be inorensed, a pair of adjustment holes 120 having a lesser spacing from the pivot holes llfi is selectively aligned with the threaded water slci holes prior to the reinsertion Oe screws 124 into the water ski. Conversely, if a narrow width binding is desired, a pair of adjustment holes having a greater spacing from center pivot holes 116 is30selected.
~Fhile the tabs 114, so disclosed, are rotatable, it should be noted that any configuration of tabs 114, fixed or rotatable, having a plurality of spaeed-apart adjustment holes 120 for cooperation with threaded holes in the water ski would be suitable. The particular embodiment shown in ~IGURE 3, 35however, provides an accessible means of adJusting the width of binding 10 while providing minimal disruption to the binding surface.
The length of binding 10 may also be adjusted as desired. As most clearly shown in FIGURE 3~ the toe end 28 of soleplate 24 is scored along one or . ~
-lG~ '1 3 J1 3 ~ ~) .N.~

more lines 160 extending transversely across the forward toe end This enables the toe end to be broken off at a particular scored line as desired. As shown inFIGURE 9, the entire toe end 28 may be detached from solepla1;e 24.
To ~urther enhance the adjustable nature of the binding 10, a 5 means for reducing the size Or the binding cavity 22 adjacent the instep of the skier's foot is provided. Strap portions 8B of heelpiece 69 include end portions126 detachably securable to frame assembly 20. Because straps 86 are laterally disposed in overlapping configuration across the portion of the binding upper 18adjacent the skier's instep, changing the regions of the end portions 126 of straps lO 86 secured between the internal frame 34 and external frame 50 alters the si~e o~ the binding cavity 22 adjaeent the skier's instep. Several means Eor variablyadJusting the region of strap end portions 126 secured to the frame assembly 2û
may be employed. As shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, the end portions 126 of straps 86 may be provided with a plurality of hole pairs 128 that are aligned inl5 opposing rows adjacent the edges of strap end portions 1~6. The hole pairs 128 of each end portion 126 cooperate with a pair of pins or screws 130, extending upwardly through flanges 40, through a hole pair 128 and into aligned, threaded blind holes 131 formed in external frame 50 adjacent the recesses 88.
To reduce the size of the binding cavity 22, pins 130 are retracted 20 from a given hole pair 128 and the end portions 126 o~ the heel wrap straps 86 are pulled farther through the Erarne assembly 20. When the proper adjustment is reached, pins 130 are inserted through another hole pair 128 and into holes 131, securing the strap~ 86 in place.
In an alternative preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 5, end 25 portions 126 of straps 86 are provid~d wlth a pluralit~ o~ rounded ridges 132extending substantiully parallel to sides 52 of the external -~r~me 50 when the binding lO is nssembled. The ridges 132 are intended eor selective cooperative engagement with a plurality of slots 134, having a ~enerally semicircular cross section, provided in the sloping side surface 54 and bottom clamping surface 56 30 of the external frame recesses 88. To adjust the size of the binding cavity 22, screws 94 securing the external frame 50 to the flange portion 40 are loosened, and the end portions 126 of the heel wrap straps 86 drawn through the frame assembly until the desired size OI binding cavity is obtained. At this time, screws ~4 can be again tightened, securing the binding upper 18 to the frame 35 assembly 20 as desired. It will be appreciated that ridge 132 can be OI cross-sectional shapes other than shown in FIGUR~ 5, sueh as triangular or V-shaped, , -17 ~3~32a3 without departinK from the spirit or scope oE the present invention. Also~
binding 10 can be constructed with either or both the binding width and instep cavity adjustment provisions discussed above.
FIGURE 9A illustrates a further alternative preferred embodiment 5 of the present in~ention wherein binding 10t' is mounted on a mounting plate 170 which in turn is secured to water ski 16". Preferably, plate 12 is eonstructed from lightweight, high-strength, corrosion resistant material such as aluminum or a hard, durable plastic. Mounting plate 170 is secured to ski 16't by screws 172 e~tending downwardly through clearance holes 174 formed in the plate to engage 10 with ~ligned threaded openings formed in the wal:er ski. A series of longi-tudinally space~apart clearance holes 174 may be associated with each mounting screw 172 to permit the mounting plate 170 and, thus, also binding 10"~to be adjusted longitudinally relative to the ski.
As most clearly shown in FI~;URR 9B, binding 10" is mounted to 15 mounting plate 170 by screws 176 which extend upwardly through clearance holes provided in side flange portions 40" and external ~rame 50'l to engage with cap nut 178. To adjust the width of binding 110, tabs 114 are not required, rather, as shown most clearly in ~IGURE 9B, screws 176 extend upwardly through one of a series of transversely spaced-apart clearance holes 180 ~ormed in the mounting 20 plate. As can be appreciated, the particular clearance hole 180 through whichscrew 176 extends upwardly through, determines the width o~ soleplate 24.
Preferably, then spacers 182 are disposed within recesses 112 beneuth internal frame ~langes 40 (which provide clearance for tabs ll4, FIGURE 3) thereby to fill the recess 90 that a substantially uniform clamping load is applied to side25 flanges 40" of inn~r ~rame 34~. Other than the foregoing variations, binding 10"
illustrat~d in FIt:~URE~.~ 9A and 9B ideally is constructed substantially the same as binding 10 illustrated in FIGURES l-7 and 9.
~ IGURES 10, 11 and 12 illustrate another preferred manner of varying the size of binding cavity 22 by adjusting the lengths of strap por-30 tions 86"' of heelpiece 69'1l. This is accomplished -with a clasp assembly 190 whieh automatically cinches the ends 126"' of strap portions 86'1' to a binding external frame 50l'l at thè desired location along the length of the strap ends. In basic form, the clasp assembly 190 is composed of a mounting bracket 192 secured to the side portions 52ltl of external frame 50l'l at the locations at which 35 strap ends 126"' cross the external frame side portionsO The clasp assembly 190 also includes a friction cam 196 that is rotatably mounted on the bracket to define a gap between the cam and the bracket for receiving and releasably clamping or pinching strap end 126"'. A cam stop 194 extends alongside the 13~32~3 friction cam at location between the friction cam and the adjacent portion of strap end 126"'.
Describing the construction and operation of the clasp assembly in more detail, as illustratPd in FIGURES 10-12, mounting bracket 192 is generally 5 U-shaped with an elongate, flat base section 193 extending longitudinally alon~
external frame side portions 52"' with the top 193a of the base section func-tioning as a clamping surface for cooperating with the cam 196 to releasably clamp strap end 126l" therebetween. The base section 193 terminates at end sections 193b which extend upwardly from the ends of the base section. As 10 shown most clearly in FIGURES 11 and 12, the widths OI the base 193 and end sections 193b of bracket 192 generally correspond to the width of the side portions 52'~' of external ~rame 50"' with the outward edge of the bracket 192 (left-hand side as shown in PIGURES 11 and 12~ being substantially flush with the outward edge of frame side portions 5a"l. Bracket 192 snugly engQgeS within a elose fitting recess 198 formed in external frame side portions 52'~'. The bracket may be attached to the external Prame by any convenient means, for instance, with a suitable adhesive or mechanical fastener. The end sections of bracket 192extend upwardly above the top surface 200 of external frame side portions 52"'.
To receive and provide support for the end sections 193a o bracket 192, the 20 external frame side portions 52"' are constructed with upwardly extending, beveled shoulders 202 that extend upwardly from top surface 200 to be flush w;ththe top edges of bracket end sections 193b. Although bracket 192 has been illustrated and described as structurally separate from external frame 50"', anddiscussed below with respect to FIGURE 13, it mny be inte~rat~d into the 25 construction of the external frarne without departing Erorn the spirit or scope of th~ pre~ent invention.
The Prlction cam 196 includes an elongate upper retainer sec-tion 204 which is disposed in spaced parallel relationship with a lower cam section 206 by end sections 208, thereby to define the gap or opening 210 30 between the retainer and cam sections. The retainer section, as most clearly illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12, in cross section is substantially in the shape of a circle, but with a flattened lower surface adjacent cam section 206. The cam section is formed with an arcuate cam face or surface 212 which faces the top surface of the base section 193 of bracket 192 and flat side faces that are 35 disposed tangentially to the cam face and retainer section 204. As most clearly shown in FI~UR~S 11 and 12, cam face 212 substantially defines the circum-ference oP a circle having a diame~er somewhat larger than the circle defined by -19- ~3~32~

retainer section 204. The cam section 206 ulso includes ~ sloped upper sur-face 214 which is inclined upwardly and in the inward direction relative to the binding, i.e., toward the right-hand side shown in FlGURES 11 and 12.
The friction cam 196 is mounted on the bracket 192 to pivot about an axis 218 by pivot pins 216 extending through aligned~ close-fitting openings formed in the upstanding end sections 193a o~ the bracket and in the ends of camsection 206. Pivot pins 216 support the Iriction cam so that the cam face 212 and the top surface 193a of bracket base section 193 deEine a variable width strap receiving and retaining gap therebetween with the width of the gap dependent on the orientation of the cam about the pivot pins 216. The pivot pins, as shown in FIGIJRES 11 and 12, are located a substantial distance above the center of curvature of cam face 212 and are offset relative to the width of cam section 206 towards stop 194 (i.e., in the right-hand direction in FIGURES 11 and 12) so that the pivot axis 218 is likewise so offset.
As ~lso shown in ~IGURES 11 and 12, the pivot axis 21~ is located at an elevation slightly above l:he central axis of a circularly shaped stop 194.
The cam stop 194 is in the form of an elongate, solid bar that spans the length of bracket 192 and is seeurely engaged with or otherwise fixedly attached to the upstanding end sections 193a of the bracket at locations offset from the transverse center OI the bracket in the direction toward the exterior surface of toepiece 60"' (i.e., toward the right-hand side in Fl[GURES 11 and 12).
At this location the cam stop is positioned between l;he side oi~ cQm 190 and $he section of strap portion 86"' that approaches the clasp assembly. Although stop lg4 is illustrated as being circular in cross section, it can be Iormed in oth~r cross~sectional shapes without departing from the spirit or scope Oe the prcsentinvention. Moreover, stop 19~ could be integrally formed with bracket 192 or i~,as noted above, bracket t92 is integrally formed with external frame 50"', then stop 194 likewise can be integrally formed with the external ~rame.
By ~orming cam face 212 and locating pivot pin 216 relative to the cam face and the top clamping surface 193a of bracket 192 in the manner described above, with strap end 126"' disposed in the gap defined by cam ~ace 212 and clamping sur~ace 193a, w~en the cam 190 is pivoted in the clockwise direction about axis 218 from the position shown in FIGURE 12 and toward cam stop l9-~L to the position shown in ~IGURE 11, the cam face 212 3~ moves further away Irom clamping surface 193a~ thereby reducing and even-tually eliminating the pinching force or pressure being applied to the strap end~
Likewise, when the friction cam is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction about axis 218 fPom the position shown in FIGIJR~ 11 to the position shown in ~3~32~3 FIGURE 12, cam face 212 is moved closer toward clampin~ surface 193a, there-by reducing the width of the gap therebetween.
In the operation of clasp assembly 190, strap end 126"' is threaded downwardly between the cam stop 194 and the exterior surface of toepiece 60'l' and then through the gap defined by fri¢tion cam 196 and clamping surface 193a so that the strap end extends laterally outwardly from the clasp assembly as shown in FIGURE 11. Free end 126"' is then pulled through the clasp assembly until the desired snugness of the toepiece 60"' over the instep of the skier's foot is achieved~ It will be appreciated that as strap end 126"' is being pulled through the clasp assembly, the friction force acting between cam face 212 and the adjacent surface of the strap 86"' causes the cam 196 to pivot clockwise about axis 218 to rest against cam stop 194 which increases the gap between the cam face and the clamping surface 193a to permit the strap to readily slide through the gap. As can also be appreciated, as strap end 126"' is being so pulled, the stap end rides around the cam stop and, thus, does not bind or otherwise rub against the side of cam 196 thereby facilitating the ease with which the strap end slides through the clasp assembly 190.
When the pulling force on the strap end 126"' (located outwardly of clasp assembly 190) is released, the tensile force on the strap 86t" naturally tends to cause the strap to retract backwardly through the clasp assembly; however, the friction force acting between cam face 212 and adjacent surface of strap 86"' rotates the cam in the counterclockwise direction relative to pivot axis 218 from the position OI the cam shown in FI~.URE 11 to the position of thecam shown in FIGURE 12. With this rotation of the cam, cam face 212 moves oloser to the clamping surface 193a to tightly pinch strap 86"' between the cam face and the clamping surfa¢e, thereby to securely hold the strap against retraction. It wlll be appreciated that the tighter the strap 86"' is cinched, the larger the tensile load on the strap and, thus, the larger the torque load applied to the cam by the friction force acting between cam face 212 and the adjacent surface of the strap which proportionally increases ths pinching or clamping force applied to the strap by the cam face and the clamping surface. As such, the level of the pinching or clamping force that is applied to strap 86"' is commensurate with the tightness to which strap 86"' is cinched.
It may be desirable to increase the coefficient of friction between the cam face 212 and the adjacent surface of strap 86"' and/or the clamping surface and the opposite surface of strap 86"' thereby to enhance the ability OI

-21~ 1'3132~3 clasp assembly 190 to cinch the strap. As an illustrative, but not limiting example, this may be accomplished by knurling or otherwise "roughenin~" thc cam face 212 and/or the clamping sur~ace 193a.
After the strap 86"' has been tightened to the desired level, strap 5 free end 126"' is simply threaded inwardly and upwardly through the gap 210 formed in cam 196, thereby to double the strap end back over on itself, as shownin FIGURE 12, so that the strap end overlies the portion of strap 86"' which downwardly approQches the clasp assembly 19Q from toepiece 160. When the strap free end portion 126"' is disposed in this "tucked" position, it conveniently lO overlies the sloped upper surface 214 of the cam section 206.
To loosen strap 86"', for instance when desiring to duff the binding, strap end 126"'is unthreaded from cam gap 210 and then the cam 19S is simply manually pivoted, ~or instance with the fingers of the skier7 in the clockwise direction about axis 218 to move the cam toward the cam stop 194. By this I5 pivoting action, the distance between cam face 212 and clamping surface 193a is sufficiently increased thereby allowing strap 86"' to automatically retract through the clasp assembly 190. It will be appreciated that by the above construction of the clasp assembly 190, the tension of strap 86"' may be infinitely and automatically adjusted so that the desired snugness o~ toe-20 piece 60't' over the instep of a skier is achieved~ Moreover, by virtue of theabove construction of clasp assembly 190 and by locating the clasp assembly upwardly above the top surface 14"' of ski 18"', the operation Oe the clasp assembly is not detrimentally affected by sand or other debris whioh l:end to collect a-t the binding. This has been a problem in water ski bindings constructed 25 with a heelpiece which is longitudinally slidable within a track mounted on the l:op of a water 91ci. For instance, as employed in U.S. Patent No. 3,089,l587 noted above.
FIGURE 13 illustrates a clasp assembly 191)' which ;s constructed and operates essentially in the same manner as clasp assembly 190, illustrated in 30 FIGURES 10-12, but with the exception that a separate mounting bracket, such as mounting bracket 192, is not employed, but rather the bracket is integrally formed with external frame 50"". In clasp assembly 190', appropriate aligned openings 220 are formed in shoulder 222 for reception of stop 194. Likewise, aligned openings 224 are formed in the shoulders 222 for reception of pivot 35 pins 226, which correspond to pivot pins 216 of the c lasp assembly 190 illustrated in ~IGURES 10-12.
In accordance with another aspeet OI the present invention, as illustrated in ~IGUR~S 11 and 12, a reinforcing strip 228 extends internally ` ~3~3~
~22-through the lower perimeter side portions 64"' of toepiece 60"', including side flanges 62"' and rid~es 66"'. The reinIorcing strip 228 has a wider major portion encased within the lower perimeter side portlon 64"' and a narrower minor portion encased within side flanges 62"' and ridges 66', with the minor portion 5 being angularly disposed relative to the major portion. It will be appreciatedthat strip 228 structurally reinforces this region of the binding toepiece 6~"' so that when the binding is in use (with the toepiece clamped between external frame 50"' and the internal frame 34"') there is less likelihood that this region of the toepiece will tear or otherwise fail. The reinforcing strip preferably is 10 constructed from a lightweight, flexible but high-strength materlal such as ametal or a suitable plastic. Also, preferably the reinforcing strip is integrally formed with the toepiece 60"', for instance, by placing the reinforcing strip into the mold used to form the toepiece, if the toepiece is formed by molding. It canbe appreciated that a reinforcing strip similar to reinforcing strip 228 can be 15 incorporated into the structure of the heelpiece 69 illusltrated above in FIGURES 1 and 3 to provide similar structural reinforcement to the heelpiece.
FIGURE 14 illustrates a further preferred embodiment Or the present invention wherein an elastic binding upper 230 is constructed in the same manner as the binding upper 18 described above and illustrated in ~IGURES 1, 3, 20 4, ~ and 7 with the exception that the top central portion of the roof area of toepiece 232, i.e., the region beneath straps 234, is formed in a thickness which is thinner than the remaining roof area of the toepiece. This allows the instep section, i.e., the section beneath ~traps 234, to rcadily expand and contract inrelation to the size, and especially the width, oE the skier's foot. Construoting 25 the toepiece 232 in this manner improves the comfort of the binding upper without compromising the level o~ support provided by the binding upper since the skier's Eoot in the instep section of the toepiece 230 i8 restrained and supported by the overlying straps 234. The reduced thickness of the top central portion of the roof area of toepiece 232 may be in the range of 1/~ to 3/4 of the 30 thickness Oe the remaining roof area of the toepiece and, ideally~ approximately 1/2 of the thickness of the general roof area of the toepiece. Thus, if the general roof area of the toepiece is constructed frcm an inner layer of, for instance, .25 inch (.635 cm.) thick textured neoprene foam or similar material, the inner layer at the top central portion o~ the roof area may be reduced to a 35 thickness of approximately .125 inch (.318 cm.) thick. Similarly, if the outer layer of the roof area of the toepiece is formed from, for instance, .~25 inch (.3175 cm.) to .375 inch (.925 cm.) thick neoprene or similar material, then -23- 1~32~

likewise the top central portion of the roof area may be formed from a thicknessOI from about .0625 inch (.l588 cm.) to .l88 inch (.462 em.) thick neoprene or similar material.
FIGURE lS illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. The water ski binding 240 illustrated in FIGUP.E 15 is constructed substantially identically with binding lO, shown in FIGURES 1-4, 6 and 7, with the exception of the construction of toepiece 242. Toepiece 242 is constructed the same as toepiece 60 of binding lO but with the exception of the addition of an elongate slit 244 extending longitudinally along the top central 10 instep portion of the roof area of the toepiece, i.e., the region of the toepiece underlying the locations at which straps ~46 cross the toepiece. As will be appreciated, slit 244 enables the toepiece to readily expand and contract in width across the instep of lhe skier's foot to accommodate feet of various sizesand widths, thereby increasing the comfort of binding 240. Because the instep 15 portion of a skier's foot is supported and restrained by the crisscrossing straps 246, slit 244 does not reduce or otherwise detrimentally affect the support provided to the skier1s foot by binding 240 while having the advantage of providing optimum fit and comfort for the feet of a large number of skiers.
There have been describ0d preferred embodiments of the water ski 20 binding having a laterally supportive abutment ridge, an adjustable width, and a method for varying the binding cavity size. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of the present invention thnt the teachings of this inventionmay be used to advanta~e in any situation where it is desirahle to provide a water ski binding having maximum support for the skier's foot and ankle, while 25 maintaining some adjustability. Therefore, it is to be understood by those sk1lled in the art that various changes, additions, and omissions may be rnade in the fortn and the detail of the descript10n of the present invention set forth abovewithout departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The particular embodiments of the water ski bindings, described above, are therefore30 to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, i.eO, the scope of the present invention is set forth in the appended claims, rather than being limited to the examples of water ski bindings set forth in the foregoing description.

Claims (42)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A water ski binding, comprising:
(a) a binding upper;
(b) a unitary, internal frame having:
a generally flat soleplate portion shaped generally in the form of the bottom profile of a skier's foot and extending substantially the full length of the skier's foot;
an abutment ridge integrally formed with the soleplate portion to curve upwardly from at least the side marginal portions of the soleplate portion to an elevation sufficiently above the soleplate portion for bearing against the sides of the skier's foot; and wherein said soleplate portion and said abutment ridge cooperatively define a foot receiving depression to provide lateral support for the skier's foot;
(c) an external frame extending along at least the side marginal portions of said internal frame; and, (d) wherein the lower perimeter portion of the binding upper is receivable between said internal frame and said external frame.

2. A water ski binding according to Claim 1, wherein said binding upper includes an instep portion cooperating with said frame to define a binding cavity for receiving and restraining a foot.

3. A water ski binding according to Claim 2, wherein said binding upper includes at least one strap extending laterally across the binding upper and overlying the instep portion.

4. A water ski binding according to Claim 3, wherein said abutment ridge and said external frame section are adapted to receive the strap of the binding upper therebetween.

5. A water ski binding according to Claim 3, further comprising means for securing said strap to said frame at selected locations along the length of said strap, thereby to adjust the size of the binding cavity.

6 A water ski binding according to Claim 5, wherein said means for securing the end portion of said strap to said internal frame comprises a plurality of ribs provided on said strap and a plurality of longitudinal slots provided in said frame, said ribs and said longitudinal slots arranged for selective cooperative engagement.

7. The water ski binding according to Claim 6, wherein said frame longitudinal slots are formed in the external frame section.

8. A water ski binding according to Claim 5, wherein said securing means comprise a plurality of holes provided in said strap and at least one pin provided in the binding frame, said pin and said holes arranged for selective cooperative engagement.

BUDC\3734CLM.DOC

9. A water ski binding according to Claim 4, wherein said securing means comprise a clasp assembly for receiving the end portion of the strap of the binding upper and automatically cinching the strap at a desired location along the length of the strap,

10. A water ski binding according to Claim 9, wherein said clasp assembly comprises:
(a) a clamping surface;
(b) a friction cam spaced from said clamping surface to define a strap receivinggap therebetween, said cam having a face disposed toward said clamping surface and against an adjacent portion of the strap; and, (c) pivot means for mounting the cam relative to said clamping surface to pivot the cam face away from the clamping surface as the strap is pulled through the clasp assembly in the direction tending to tighten the binding upper and automatically pivoting the cam face toward the clamping surface when the movement of the strap through the clasp assembly is terminated, resulting in a residual tensile load on the strap, whereby the cam face pinches the adjacent portion of the strap against the clamping surface thereby preventing withdrawal of the strap relative to the clasp assembly.

11. A water ski binding according to Claim 10, further comprising a cam stop disposed between said cam and said strap to limit the rotational movement of said cam.

12. A water ski binding according to Claim 11, wherein said cam stop extends generally transversely to the length of the strap and generally longitudinally to the length of the binding alongside the binding upper; and, the cam is spaced outwardly from the cam stop away from the binding upper.

13. A water ski binding according to Claim 2, wherein the instep portion of saidbinding upper having a top central section which is more resilient than the remainder of' the instep portion to readily expand and contract in the direction across the binding upper.

14. A water ski binding according to Claim 13, wherein the top central section of said instep portion of the binding upper being composed of a reduced thickness relative to the thickness of the remainder of the instep portion.

15. A water ski binding according to Claim 13, wherein said instep portion includes a longitudinal slit extending along the top central section thereof.

16. A water ski binding according to Claim 1, wherein:
the soleplate includes longitudinal side margins and an arcuate rear margin; and, the abutment ridge extends along substantially the entire rear margin of the soleplate and forwardly therefrom along a major portion of the side margins of the soleplate.

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. . .

17. A water ski binding according to Claim 1, further comprising a width-adjusting means for adjusting the width of said binding.

18. A water ski binding according to Claim 17, wherein said soleplate includes alongitudinal slot open toward the toe end of said soleplate, and means for selectively adjusting the width of said slot.

19. The water ski binding according to Claim 18, wherein said means for adjusting the width of said slot includes at least one notch in communication with and extending transversely with said longitudinal slot, with a plurality of serrations formed in the margins of said notch; and spreader bar means formed with a plurality of notches formed along its perimeter portions for selective engagement with corresponding serrations of said slot notches.

20. A water ski binding according to Claim 17, wherein said width-adjusting means comprises at least one tab, each tab having a first region secured to a side portion of said frame and a second region securable to a mounting surface, the distance between said first and second regions of each tab being selectively variable.

21. A water ski binding according to Claim 20, wherein each tab includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes selectively engageable with fastening means disposed at a fixed location relative to said mounting surface for varying the width of said binding dependent on the particular said holes selected.

22. A water ski binding according to Claim 21, wherein said first region of each tab is pivotally secured to said frame about a pintle.

23. A water ski binding according to Claim 22, wherein said spaced-apart holes in each tab are located at varying distances from said pintle.

24. A water ski binding according to Claim 20, wherein said soleplate includes alongitudinal slot, said slot open toward a toe end of said plate, said slot allowing the width of said plate to be adjusted.

25. A water ski binding according to Claim 24, further including means for selectively varying the width of said slot.

26. A water ski binding according to Claim 1, further comprising a width-adjusting means for adjusting the width of said binding, said width-adjusting means comprising a longitudinal slot formed in the soleplate and means for varying the lateral distance separating the longitudinal side portions of said frame.

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27. A water ski binding according to Claim 26, wherein said means for varying the lateral distance between said longitudinal side portions of said frame comprises at least one tab, having a first region secured to said frame and a second region securable to a mounting surface, the distance between said first and second regions of said tab being selectively variable.

28. A water ski binding according to Claim 27, wherein said tab includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes selectively engageable with fastening means disposed at a fixed location relative to said mounting surface for varying the width of said binding dependent on the particular ones of said holes selected.

29. A water ski binding according to Claim 28, wherein:
said first region of said tab is pivotally secured to said frame about a pintle; and, said spaced-apart holes in said tab are located at varying distances from said pintle.

30. In a water ski binding having an elastic binding upper and means extending into the binding to mount the binding on top of the water ski, an improved contoured foot-receiving base structure, comprising:
a thin, generally flat soleplate positioned on the water ski to overlie the water ski and extending substantially the full length of a skier's foot, said soleplate having a rear marginal portion and side marginal portions extending substantially the full length of the soleplate;
a curved abutment ridge integrally formed with said soleplate to define a unitary structure, said abutment ridge curving upwardly from at least the side marginal portions of the soleplate to rise to an elevation sufficiently above the soleplate to bear against the sides of a skier's foot; and, whereby said integrally formed soleplate and abutment ridge cooperating with the water ski binding upper to define a foot-receiving depression extending substantially the full length of the skier's foot to receive and restrain the skier's foot against lateral movement relative to the base structure.

31. A base structure according to Claim 30, the curved abutment ridge also curves upwardly from the rear marginal portion of the soleplate to rise to an elevation sufficiently above the soleplate to bear against the rear of the skier's foot.

32. A base structure according to Claim 31, wherein the abutment ridge is substantially continuous along the lengths of the rear and side marginal portions of the soleplate.

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33. A base structure according to Claim 30, further comprising a pad that overlies the soleplate and the abutment ridge.

34. A base structure according to Claim 30, further comprising width-adjusting means for adjusting the width of said base structure.

35. A water ski binding having the base structure of Claim 30, and further including:
an elastic upper having a lower perimeter portion; and, means for attaching the lower perimeter portion of the elastic upper to the basestructure whereby the elastic upper extends upwardly from the abutment ridge.

36. In a water ski binding having a binding upper, an improvement comprising:
a soleplate extending along substantially the entire length of, underlying and supporting a skier's foot, said soleplate having integrally formed abutment ridge portions extending along the rear and side perimeter portions of said soleplate to abut against the rearward and side portions of the skier's foot thereby to restrain the skier's foot from movement in the rearward and lateral directions, said soleplate adapted to be securable to the lower perimeter portion of the binding upper; and, means for selectively adjusting the width of said soleplate.

37. A water ski binding according to Claim 36, wherein said width-adjusting means include:
a longitudinal slot formed in the soleplate, said slot being open toward the forward end of a soleplate; and, means for selectively varying the width of said slot.

38. A water ski binding according to Claim 37, wherein said means for adjusting the width of said slot include at least one notch in communication with and extending transversely relative to said longitudinal slot, with a plurality of serrations formed in the margins of said notch; and, spreader bar means formed with a plurality of notches extending along the perimeter portions of said spreader bar means for selective engagement with corresponding serrations of said slot notch(es).

39. A water ski binding according to Claim 36, wherein said width-adjusting means comprise at least one tab, having a first region connectable to a side portion of said soleplate and a second region securable to a mounting surface, the distance between the first and second regions of said tab being selectively variable.

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40. A water ski binding according to Claim 39, wherein said tab includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes selectively engageable with fastening means disposed at a fixed location relative to said mounting surface for varying the width of said soleplate dependent upon the particular one of said holes selected.

41. A water ski binding according to Claim 40, wherein:
said first region of said tab is pivotally secured to said soleplate about a pintle;
and, said spaced-apart holes in said tab are located at varying distances from said pintle.

42. A water ski binding according to Claim 39, wherein said soleplate includes alongitudinal slot, said slot being open toward the forward end of said soleplate, said slot facilitating the adjustment of the width of said soleplate.

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